February 2009

Wednesday, February 25, 2009

Hypothyroid Disease Scholarships

27. Endangered ecosystems

THREAT OF EXTINCTION FACT OR FANTASY?

The melting both the Arctic and the Antarctic is a symptom "uncomfortable" that something happens with the weather. The status of polar bears swimming desperately reaching over 100 km offshore in search of food is another sign that something is changing in our world

The ocean acts directly on the climate of our planet. There are cries of alarm about an upcoming change that until recently was only 5 years categorically denied the world's great powers.

Really looming climate change?

floating and satellite sensors are following the movement of large masses of ocean water daily. Temperature changes in sea surface are easy to detect, but not so with the deep currents. The satellite signals move faster in cold water. There is also vigilance with regard to the salinity of sea water ...

There are hundreds of types PALACE buoys in the oceans (in particular Atlantic) to accurately map the complexity of the movements of ocean currents. All this agitation of the liquid ocean is essential effects on marine life: influences on behavior and reproductive cycles of all creatures (the production of biological existence)

Before the masses melting Arctic and Antarctic in recent days, there are slight variations in the parameters of the water that had occurred since carried out extensive measurements.

Other scientists explain that such data is to be met within normal and we should not worry.

In less than a century, are showing great thaw

CORALS ARE THE LAST?

biologists talk about the disaster affecting the coral reefs. Although some efforts are being made to avoid the situation and informing the public, the reality is that they have permanently lost 20% of these ecosystems. And the future is grim, according to scientific calculations in less than 30 years at this rate, it will disappear 70% of all corals in the world.

The coral reef ecosystem is seriously threatened by recent scientific studies

The reasons for this extinction is based on facts such as pollution, erosion, indiscriminate fishing methods aggressive, irresponsible tourism and the shadow of a future global climate change.

OCEANS AND CLIMATE CHANGE

The oceans are monitored by buoys and from space by satellites. We know with certainty that the onset of climate change at the global level will have its first demonstration in the currents. In that instant, our world will suffer difficult conditions predicting the severity of the imbalance and number of cataclysms. There will be a severe extinction of plant and animal species.

Temperature changes are followed by mills as satellites and offshore buoys. But is this enough to prevent global climate imbalance?

This destructive process is not new to our world, even for humans, who endured the last ice age ended 10,000 years ago. The problem arises when our species not only not prepared for its impact, but also that it is accelerating.

map ocean currents

The surface currents (red arrows) the water is heated by the tropical sun and transports that heat to higher latitudes. The water becomes more saline through evaporation and reaches the North Atlantic, where it cools and sinks. Deep currents (blue arrows) help cool the tropics until it returns to rise and the cycle starts again.

The large heat exchange surface and deep water allows the existence of life at all levels, from the sunlit surface to the depths of deep darkness in the layers miles deep. When young, cold water that has just come into contact with the atmosphere is sinking, carries oxygen dissolved into the deep sea. When the masses of cold water from the bottom up, make up too nutrients from the depths to the surface where plankton grows becomes an indispensable food for larger organisms, copepods, fish and even large whales.

In the time when there is a change or interruption in the flow of ocean currents, will be the transformation temperatures that evolve in a traumatic change of climate.

WHAT IS THE REALITY OF DANGER?

If we do not protect endangered ecosystems disappear without remedy

Flowers

Cynthia NGO WWF explains:

"Climate change, pollution from runoff and destructive fishing methods are the main threats to the reefs. The study, called The Status of Coral Reefs of the World: 2004 , involved 240 scientists from 96 countries participating in the Global Coral Reef Monitoring. " Precisely

study's lead author, Clive Wilkinson (Global Network Coordinator, Coral Reef Monitoring) said:

"The news is good and bad for the world's coral reefs. We are pleased that almost half of the reefs severely damaged by coral bleaching occurred in 1998 are recovering, but other reefs are so damaged that are not even recognizable as coral reefs. "

This report indicates that 20% of coral reefs have been destroyed with little chance of recovery. The worst situation is centered in the Gulf Persian, where 65% have been destroyed, followed by the reefs of South and Southeast Asia with a 45% loss of corals. Latest reports also speak of a disaster in the wider Caribbean, where evidence has been decimated 80% of coral reef ecosystems over the past 5 years.

The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), in relation to the 2008 report on global status of coral reports:

The study, Global Coral Reef Monitoring Network, warns that if the current trend in carbon dioxide emissions, many would get lost the next 20 to 40 years, which would have "terrible consequences" for the livelihoods of around 500 million people who depend on reefs.

The report also notes that climate change is currently the main threat to the reefs. In particular, the rising temperatures of the sea surface, ocean acidification, overfishing, pollution or global warming generates.

"If the situation does not change, within 50 years, atmospheric levels of CO2 will have doubled and their removal will cause ocean acidification, that will jeopardize a large percentage of marine life from corals to lobsters, and even plankton communities, "explains the head Marine Programme of IUCN.

Nevertheless, 45% Coral has "good health" and is able to recover after heavy setbacks as heating water or adaptation to changes in time.

Corals have always shown a long tradition of strength in times of change climate, especially when human activity was reduced. In particular, a report on the status of corals in the Indian Ocean, published by Coastal Oceans Research and Development in the Indian Ocean (CORDIO) , agrees there is a tendency to degrade the coral, and relieved only by signs of recovery in certain areas.

The dreaded bleaching, dying ending

ANALYSIS OF THE CAUSES

The problem of the extinction of the reef is included in 3 different causes:

1 . destructive fishing methods: a.

fishing with illegal trawl sweep the area where the corals are supported. The same applies to the anchors ships.

trawling and ships' anchors are destroying the coral reefs

b. cyanide fishing. It is a method used to capture the elusive reef fish, producing stunning and often death. This system is particularly harmful to coral reefs, where they usually inject the poison, it also ends up killing.

Fishing with cyanide also kills 1 in 10 fishermen

c. Fishing with explosives. It is one of the most used and aggressive in coral reef ecosystems. With powerful explosives and was intended to capture as many fish, mercilessly destroying an environment full of life.

This brutal way of fishing is also done in large rivers like the Amazon

2. Erosion:

The invasion of coastal urban landfills disproportionate and face the sea, with its endless production of all kinds of pollution, sedimentation, blocking sunlight and poisons the water, making coral-even offshore-are weakened and become susceptible to deadly infections and diseases (disease of the black bands). Symbiotic algae disappear from the coral tissue ... without algae, corals lose their color ... to whiten over time
definitely die.

No comment. The pictures say it all

3. climate change.

In 1998 the water temperature was identified as the main culprit for the destruction of coral reefs during bleaching. This fact has been repeated in peak times, but every so often during the last decade. Another problem is that a small area of \u200b\u200breef ecosystem can hold a unique and singular. His loss would be final. So it is not exactly a problem understood by physical extension, but by the specific vulnerable biological and botanical richness of reef ecosystem.

Corals are sensitive to drastic temperature changes. Bleaching occurs

Chart process of bleaching and coral death

IRREVERSIBLE A PROBLEM?

The situation far from improving, is deteriorating. Coral reefs are disappearing. But this could change with some interest and action for the recovery of these ecosystems is fast when you invest in your help.

In areas where it has created an awareness for their protection, many responsible fishermen who have won with the rapid regeneration of aquatic species and gave up for lost.

There is increasing people struggling to avoid images like this

protective

In this experiment, all sorts of people have worked with few resources to defend these marine sanctuaries.

There are several examples of people who have embarked on a crusade for governments to put real resources in order to protect seas and oceans which continue to be a treasure to keep.

Miguel Pontes, a member of the interesting e-journal Mare Nostrum Marine lists information about people, including scientists working in the defense of coral reefs:

dive operators were in Key West ( Florida) who launched the " Reef Relief "to keep the anchors of the boats away from the reef in danger of disappearing.
environmental consultant was a lonely Pacific Islands which began a crusade to return to the giant clam giant depleted reefs of Tonga.
Y was a handful of marine scientists who, alarmed by their findings and frustrated by the inaction of the Government, made 1997 the International Year Reef , a global education program aimed at disseminating research and conservation efforts and reverse the destruction of reefs.
His call had an effect: conservationists and governments around the world subscribed to the Initiative International Coral Reef in 1997, and the United Nations followed suit and declared 1998 as the International Year of the Oceans .

coral reefs have a great capacity for self-regeneration

AN INTERVIEW WITH ORGANIC documentary filmmaker

Meet the Lourdes Altozano an intrepid adventurer of our time © HAPPY TROLL PRODUCTIONS

Under more general look that reflects the current state of our planet, we have an independent television filmmaker who has spent more than a decade photographing and recording scenes of the great ecosystems in a documentary series. What better than the objective view to know the truth first hand what is happening in the nature of our world.

Here we offer an interesting interview with this incredible woman who has the last few years visiting and taking notes on the nature from an environmental standpoint and independent.

Altozano Lourdes is the director of the TV show "Econauta." © HAPPY TROLL PRODUCTIONS

Altozano Lourdes (Master of Communication Studies La Salle - Universitat Ramon Llull of Barcelona) since 1996 is gathering information from as interesting audiovisual and wild as the Amazon rainforest, Galapagos, the African savannah, the jungles of Africa, Madagascar, Papua New Guinea, Asian archipelago in Indonesia and the Philippines, etc. Since 2005, he began to record Econauta informative series.

Econauta a television series that runs through the corners of our planet © HAPPY TROLL PRODUCTIONS

1. What made had interest in the ecological theme of nature?
I think we all know that nature is a common good to preserve. Being small and I love nature and animals. For this reason, my mind has made me responsible for providing audiovisual vision of the current situation and objective of many ecosystems in serious jeopardy.
never been my desire to compete with big business producing documentaries, but in my case was the need to show what is happening in the most lively corners of our planet.
Just 10 years ago I read an article published by UNESCO, which belongs to the renowned scientist Edward O. Wilson. Your document speaks of a new mass extinction, "Every day they die or spend 74 species to be endangered, and 3 every hour." This was the trigger that prompted me to investigate in situ the situation of many of these species.
My work focuses on a documentary series where I explain the ecological characteristics that I found. We have entitled Econauta .

© HAPPY TROLL PRODUCTIONS

2. Is it difficult to carry out an independent documentary series?
so difficult that sometimes it is virtually impossible to conduct. I funded this project personally, that is, with my own resources and for now, I have not received any outside help. It's very frustrating to present a project and the answer is that although it is very interesting can not support it financially. But we must never lose hope in this profession. Much less, women who are dedicated to it.

3. Is there to be brave for a woman and do their job in these areas of the world?
should be clear about what you want to do, your goals, and above all be willing to forego many comforts to which we are accustomed in our everyday lives, such as not being able to shower for several days. It should be noted that in most cases are countries and areas of difficult access, which implies a long time to come and even navigate on the ground. You must have a strong physical and mental.

© HAPPY TROLL PRODUCTIONS

4. for their expeditions, what are the parts of the world most at risk of disappearing?
precisely the Amazon rainforest leaves me concerned every time I visit. Recorded just two years ago, one of the last Jaguars Upper Amazon ... and nearly had an oil infrastructure. Another major environmental impact
exist in Madagascar, which is only 10% of its forests. Here we recorded (we were lucky), the last great world's lemurs, the Indri.
And I note with particular concern the fate that awaits the African mountain gorillas Central. It seemed that the last 700 gorillas were protected and set to increase, but the area is unstable and we can talk about new lows.
The truth is I could not tell you a specific place to run more risks than others. Even in my country, Spain, is critically endangered species like the lynx. It is too widespread endemic.

5. Can you describe some point to keep a lasting memory?
If I have to choose one of them would probably be my first face to face with a gorilla in the Ruwenzori mountains on the border between Rwanda, Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo. After a tough start, more than six hours walking, we reached the side of a mountain surrounded by tropical vegetation. Just a foot away I could see the power of these magnificent animals, you look with clear eyes and full of peace. It's a unique feeling. When small group committed to the objective approach of your camera, think how terrible we humans for abusing that peaceful behavior. Today are still cruelly killed by machetes. Last year was a sad case, in which an entire family killed in cold blood by eating a potato crop.

© HAPPY TROLL PRODUCTIONS

6. What gives us the series that is working? Who should attend?
intend to broadcast an objective view on the situation of wild ecosystems. Recorded expeditions in search of individual animals. With unpublished images show the world. Also pick up initiatives that preserve and protect nature. For example, in the Amazon show you how to re-stocking rivers with turtles, there Jarapas call. This project involves the children in the villages. Elsewhere in the world, Uganda, show a reserve of white rhinos, where they begin to repopulate a territory of which were wiped out 40 years ago. And we offer other similar experiences over the documentary.
production is aimed at all audiences, for big and small. Each chapter is a route where you can breathe an expedition adventure with which it is impossible to get bored. The encounter with the animals in their natural habitat is a real show.

7. you seen over the past decade signs that climate change is happening?
What I appreciated especially in coral reefs. In the Philippines and Indonesia, including Papua New Guinea. In particular, in the archipelago Togian in the Maluku Sea, I did terrible cuts with white coral, time of which I keep an unforgettable memory (some nice scars).
... And in the glaciers, which have increasingly less space covered by snow. In Lapland I could appreciate ... and also in the Andes ... and on top of Kilimanjaro: not wanting to be alarmist, I can sense that something is wrong.

8. What type of aid received for this work of popularization? Although I searched
grants and aid, I have always found the doors closed. I wish I had told only a part of the budgets of the National Geographic or other majors. However, it should be recognized more independent work by the great merit is to implement it successfully, especially when it offers quality tight budgets.
On the other hand, I appreciate the information and support I received from UNESCO, IUCN, WWF and all those biologists, ecologists who have advised me excellently.

9. Do you think that ecotourism is a solution for the preservation of nature?
No doubt. All the experiences I've seen on ecotourism are optimal. On the island of Saint Marie in Madagascar, for example, was taught and that applies anywhere in the world: "a living animal is more valuable than a dead one," referring to the fishermen who hunted whales Megaptera
. This saying can be applied to any animal, as the interest in seeing can mean economic gains for local people to be involved in protecting it.

10. Want to add something else?
appreciate this opportunity to express myself. And congratulations for this e-magazine that contains well-documented issues that are really interesting.

© HAPPY TROLL PRODUCTIONS

I congratulate this young woman worried and upset about nature, a television. We wish you luck and that the production of which it forms part, HappyTroll Productions, conquer a well-deserved impact with their programs for all audiences around the world.

Lourdes is very much involved Altozano with environmental issues. © HAPPY TROLL PRODUCTIONS

Monday, February 16, 2009

How Do I Know If My Dog Is Having Mini Strocks

26.

MIMIC THE NATURE

hope that future generations know not only the whales through robotic faithful reproductions

Isaac Asimov was a scientist who ventured to move as would be the future through their books. His habit was to start the day waking up at 5 in the morning to immediately start writing science fiction stories that mostly described a robotics era. It is possible that to date no one has imagined so accurately the meaning of a society aided by all sorts of cybernetic creatures.

The virtual environment is a representation that imitates nature as it is alive in this fantastic creation © VIRTUSPHERE

Now We are in the early 21 century and we can begin to get much of the progress of this scientific speaking. He predicted that we would begin with toys and pets. Currently they are creating machines that mimic animals, sometimes with a fidelity that commands respect (at the end of the article includes links to videos of great visual impact). Then it will be the turn of the androids (robots with human form).

A goldfish? No! A robot exactly!

Beyond imagination, creating machines currently being worthy of all sorts of praise. On the one hand, autonomous robots are made, practical occupations as tedious as cleaning and the other, is being developed, the first robot that is designed to support, assist and be part of our leisure. The latter move like real animals, with designs in amazing shapes and sizes. There are those that mimic insects, worms, birds, dogs, fish, jellyfish ...

Robots can take the form dictated by our imagination and our interests

ROBOTS "AQUATIC?

mechanical creatures Technology offers increasingly realistic

In Japan there is a real passion for robotics. One of the biggest attractions are the artificial fish present in all types of events. Have different shapes, such as sea bream and carp, and move with surprising realism, thanks to technology originally designed to improve the propulsion of ships.

This artificial coelacanth is moving at a speed of 0.3 knots (about 15 cms per second). Its length is 83 cm, weighing 13.5 kg and the price per rental for a week would cost 720,000 yen a month and a whopping 1,200,000 yen!

robot fish reproduce accurately the movement of real fish. This technology has three objectives:

futures giant fish seem submarines

1. You want to apply to future submarines, so they can move with the same agility to maneuver the fish (submarine currently have over path linear-like projectile motion).

minute Whales "in an aquarium?

2. Creating replicas of living organisms or imaginative designs for our entertainment. This is not to create toys, but mechanical creatures that perfectly simulate the real thing. There are projects which aim to miniaturize educational aquarium animals such as the great whales.

Robots "spying under the sea?

3. military purposes and intelligence, independent and autonomous units able to record, track and act upon specific stimuli previously scheduled.

A group of scientists from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT for its acronym in English) is working on the idea of \u200b\u200brobots evolve. In the aspect that interests us investigate the modernization of underwater vehicles. His commitment is to create robots for mapping marine examine shipwrecks or to scan underwater mines.

prototype submarine-fast and agile fish

To recreate the movements of these fish robot, MIT researchers have divided the pectoral fins in 19 different components. At first the models were too coarse for the size of the engines, so I finally resorted to a flexible polymer, thin, with ability to conduct electricity well. The end result, scientists say, is promising because robots are achieved with strong drive, but still needs to confess to adjust the speed and agility.

This same team of scientists (MIT) in collaboration with engineers from Carnegie Mellon University (Pennsylvania), has also designed a small robot, one gram of weight able to walk on water.

A robot that mimics a hydrometer whose cost does not exceed $ 11. The technique of sliding on the water has been applied to this robot, who becomes the favorite candidate of the future scientific exploration of water reservoirs and the best watch of quality for human consumption because it could detect toxins. For aquariums and ponds could be useful to estimate parameters and stabilize

This machine is a prototype for now. It looks like a water bug (hydrometer), measures only 1.25 inches, is made of fiber carbon and has eight legs with plastic coated steel water repellent. Are these legs that allow you to move and stand on the aquatic environment.

This robot does not yet have electronic brain and sensors, but its mechanism is triggered by a series of muscles consisting of three electric switches controlled by other circuits connected to a power source.

The London Aquarium kids do not get over their astonishment at these fish as flashy

The London Aquarium robot fish exhibited the kind G-9.3. It is the ninth generation of this type of mechanical creature that leaves visitors dazzled by its bright colors and sinuous movements. It is actually a computer capable of moving on its own stimulus: his eyes are glass infrared sensors polarized as the one used for sunglasses. Its creator is George Simas, Master in Computer Science and a member of China Hu Huoseng.

As time progresses, this type of robot learns to reduce the energy needed to move, using a type of pump to coordinate their movements in the water. In addition to its four infrared sensors to avoid hitting the glass aquarium. The idea is to miniaturize its current size.

production chain of these robots has already begun at the company Shirayama Corporation. Its price reaches 220,000 euros. Despite its metallic appearance, people think it is a real fish.

FESTO pioneered realistic creations that move as living creatures

remarkable the work of the company whose designs FESTO are incredible machines that not only look based on animals but also how they move. This company is actively involved with vocational training centers and universities around the world and is a reference to a new understanding of robotics.

FESTO cyber jellyfish. There is also air version, as well as moving flying manta ray

air-operated robots

Its Li-Ion batteries, small electric motors and helium. The most notable models have two versions, water and air, jellyfish and rays.

AQUARIUMS WITH ROBOTS

all know that the aquarium contains living organisms. It is quite possible that in the future of robotics arrives at the aquarium, making them self-sufficient in three ways:

1. Aquariums smart. Already on the market small computers that control the whole aquarium mechanics (lighting, water flows, filter, food stabilizers and water chemistry). In the not too distant even own aquariums ensure the health and vitality of their bodies properly maintained.

Aquariums
computer for a full and meticulous care of their living

2. Small autonomous robots that will help us keep our tanks perfectly from within. Small machines will be programmed to safeguard the proper balance of the tanks. These mechanisms waste cleaned more deeply hidden, will make real gardeners will be able to act urgently as doctors or nurses.

A little robot cleaning the aquarium substrate

3. There will be small automata to be perfect replicas of typical organisms in aquariums. Also completely original cybernetic creatures designed by their shapes and colors. This is defined in two classifications: creating fully realistic virtual aquarium synthetic existing appearance aquarium art with synthetic or designed under criteria imaginative.

Aquariums inhabited by creatures and unique synthetic

A PRACTICAL EXAMPLE OF CURRENT CLEANING ROBOT

Most large tanks open to the public have real problems cleaning their tanks despite having powerful systems for water filtration. This cleaning is usually done at night when no one else can see.

How thoroughly clean a giant aquarium?

Aquarium in Osaka (Japan) one of the most gigantic of the world, where one of the larger tanks with the not inconsiderable amount of 11,000 tons of water, had to find a solution to cleaning. The challenge was to create a functional system that would damage or fish or any living organism there maintained. Finally we worked on a cleaning robot, whose mission is to clean the substrate more efficiently. This robot is equipped with a video camera which also serves to monitor inaccessible corners of the large tank.

A real cleaning robot utilza in Osaka Aquarium

NOTE: As human beings generally seek comfort and less complication, this type of aquarium virtual will become a new form of entertainment and decoration in the nearest future we think. Surely there will be many detractors People who criticize virtual ecosystems. The reality is that the genuine and authentic will never be surpassed in satisfaction with the artificial. But this is an ethical dilemma that will arise with all types of robots, including androids in human form.

This article is not about science fiction. Explain what is already happening and even manufacturing. REFERENCE LINKS

1. Experiments with fish robot in Japan
2. Video stingray amazing robot FESTO